Great Britain amateur shows ability with final kilometre surge while Wiggins contains rivals

Biding his time as some of the other climbers fired off attacks on the final climb of Haytor Hill, Great Britain amateur Simon Yates put in a very impressive surge inside the final 300 metres of today’s stage six of the Tour of Britain.

The move saw him open a decisive gap and race in to snag the win in front of some huge crowds. Overnight leader Bradley Wiggins [pictured] retained his gold jersey and looks likely to take the overall in two days' time.

The promising 21 year old Yates hit the line a clear two seconds ahead of Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling), one of race leader Bradley Wiggins’ big rivals, plus Wiggins’ team-mate David Lopez (Sky).

MTN Qhubeka climber Sergio Pardilla Bellon and Sébastien Reichenbach (IAM Cycling) were five seconds back, with Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Wiggins rolling in a further five seconds later.

Yates, who recently won two stages in the Tour de l’Avenir, said that he had been targeting the stage. His tactic was to wait until the finish, and then give it everything. “I had heard from my team-mates that the climb was not one gradient, but was very up and down. There were some attacks from guys like Dan Martin and Nairo Quintana, but I waited. I know I’ve got a good kick and I was able to use it.”

A five man break went clear early on and heading into the final ten kilometres, three riders were left out front. King of the Mountains Angel Madrazo (Movistar), Martin Velits (Omega Pharma Quick Step) and Liam Holohan (Madison Genesis) rode hard but were finally gobbled up six kilometres from the finish.

Garmin-Sharp rider Dan Martin then launched two successive attacks. While they didn’t last and he slipped backwards after the efforts, the surges did thin out the peloton significantly and lead to just nine riders being there at the end to hunt for victory.

Yates bided his time, letting others burn themselves out. “I had good legs most of the day. When people start attacking and it goes on for a few minutes you start gritting your teeth, but it worked out fine,” he said.

He hopes to carry his strong form to Florence, where he will ride the under 23 road race. “I have got the worlds after this,” he said. “I hope I can do a good ride there, then hopefully turn pro. We will see.”

After the Bardiani Valvole CSF Inox and Sky teams did much of the chasing in pursuit of the five man move, Wiggins took over for the final two kilometres of the stage. The fast gradient suited his characteristics, and he reasoned that by riding hard, he would discourage attacks.

In the end he lost just ten seconds to Yates and eight to Elmiger, one of his top challengers. Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp), who had started the day fourth overall, cracked on the last climb and slipped back. Ian Stannard (Sky), who had been second this morning, also lost time.

The reshuffled GC saw Wiggins end the day 32 seconds ahead of Elmiger, with Yates moving up to third, one minute and six second back.

The remaining two days are flatter, and it will be much more difficult for riders to take time out of the Briton.

How it played out:

After yesterday’s very selective stage to Caerphilly, today’s sixth stage of the Tour of Britain covered 137 kilometres from Sidmouth to Haytor. The conclusion of the stage was uphill, and potentially the last big opportunity to put a real challenge to overall leader Bradley Wiggins.

It featured three Yodel Direct Sprints, taking place at Tiverton (km 37.9), Exeter (km 62.26) and Chudleigh (km 95.4), and had also three categorised climbs. These were Mamhead (km 84.1), Six Mile Hill (km 117.5) and the final climb to the line at Haytor.

As expected, a break got clear early on and built a solid lead. Present – once again – was King of the Mountains and Yodel Direct Sports leader Angel Madrazo (Movistar), looking to add more points to his total in both competitions, plus former British champion Kristian House (Rapha Condor), UK Youth’s Ian Wilkinson, Martin Velits of Omega Pharma Quick Step and Liam Holohan (Madison Genesis).

Holohan was best placed of the break, starting the day two minutes 53 seconds back in nineteenth place.

Madrazo beat Wilkinson and Velits at the first sprint, after which they built a lead of three minutes 20 seconds. That put Holohan into the provisional race lead, but also ensured that the bunch behind would chase hard.

The leaders then raced onto the Mamhead climb, where Madrazo bolstered his lead with a prime win ahead of House and Wilkinson. The latter then picked up the Yodel Direct prime in Exeter.

Behind, Wiggins’ Sky team and the Bardiani Valvole CSF Inox squads were leading the chase and gradually bringing things closer.

Wilkinson and House cracked inside the final 25 kilometres, slipping backwards on the Six Mile Hill climb. Madrazo took another prime win at the summit and with twenty kilometres left, the trio had one minute ten seconds.

The three were jumping around at that point, seeing to open a gap over each other, but despite the lack of smooth cohesion they still had one minute fifteen with fifteen kilometres remaining. Behind, House and Wilkinson were caught by the bunch, leaving just the three leaders out front.

Racing into the final ten kilometres, the trio was 42 seconds ahead and while they showed greater cooperation, the hard chase behind made it less and less likely that they would stay clear.

So it proved, with the trio being caught with six kilometres to go. The Bardiani Valvole CSF Inox and Sky teams continued to head the peloton, which still had a large number of riders present.
Climbers scrap for stage honours:

With 4.7 kilometres left, Stefano Pirazzi (Bardiani Valvole CSF Inox) jumped hard and got a gap. However he was all but brought back with 3.3 kilometres left, then Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) kicked hard and opened up several seconds’ advantage.

The Irishman was giving it everything but is still rebuilding sharpness after crashing out of the Vuelta a España and isn’t quite at his best. Marcel Wyss (IAM Cycling) was able to get up to him and the duo were then brought back with 2.9 kilometres left. The climb was not as steep as expected and many riders were still present at that point.

Martin was in a determined mood and went again with 2.6 kilometers left. Wyss once again tried to follow but wasn’t able to do so. Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana (Movistar) got up to Martin and blasted past the tiring rider, with Francesco Bongiorno (Bardiani Valvole CSF Inox) then bringing Wyss closer.

Those two then joined, making it three out front.

Behind, Wiggins was being led by David Lopez (Sky), while one of the Briton’s big rivals, Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp) was dropped.

Lopez slipped back with two kilometre left and Wiggins brought the others up to them. He carried on at the front, pushing the pace on a climb which was suited to his attributes, and thus making it difficult for his rivals to attack.

The Sky rider led into the final kilometre, then Bongiorno jumped hard. His move was unsuccessful but acted to bring Lopez back up to the front. Sergio Pardilla (MTN Qhubeka) had kept his powder dry until then and decided to play his hand. However Quintana was having none of it, latching onto his back wheel, and together the group headed towards the finish.

With the line approaching, Pardilla tried again, then Lopez kicked hard. However Simon Yates (Great Britain) flew past him and hit the finish well clear, landing a very important win for him.

Wiggins rolled in ten seconds behind his compatriot and retained his grip on the race leader’s jersey. He will once again wear gold on tomorrow’s penultimate stage, a 150.4 kilometre race from Epsom to Guildford.

It features three category one climbs early on but these come far too soon to have a big effect on the general classification. With no more categorised climbs coming after that point, it is conceivable that a big sprint could settle things at the finish.